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The Glory of Kings: A Festschrift for James B. Jordan
Fyodor Dostoevsky
(Christian Encounters Series)
Athanasius
(Foundations of Theological Exegesis and Christian Spirituality)
The Four: A Survey of the Gospels
Defending Constantine: The Twilight of an Empire and the Dawn of Christendom
From Behind the Veil: The Epistles of John
Deep Exegesis:The Mystery of Reading Scripture
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
The church calendar teaches us about Jesus, so we can be faithful disciples. In Epiphany, we focus on the manifestation of Jesus, culminating today in His glorification the Mount of Transfiguration. On Wednesday, we enter the season of Lent, when we re-focus on the suffering and sacrifice of Christ.
Lent is not just an opportunity to learn about Christ’s sacrifice. It is an annual removal of the leaven of Egypt, and thus a practical expression of our participation in the sacrifice of Christ.
Jesus didn’t go to the cross so we could escape the cross. He was crucified so that we who belong to Him can crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24). We don’t purge sin in our own power, or to earn God’s favor by our self-deprivations. We purge sin because, in the crucified Son, we are already in God’s favor.
We clear out the old leaven by placing ourselves under the sacrificial sword of the Lord, which is the word of God, the sword that divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and exposes the thoughts and intents of the heart. We don’t like this. Exposure is shameful and painful, so we shrink back.
One of the first sins we have to mortify is resistance to mortification. Spend the next 40 days opening yourselves with renewed commitment to the light of God’s word. Spend the next 40 days cultivating new habits of prayer. Only when the Lord’s sword has dismembered us can we be healed. Only when His sword cuts us down to the roots can the wilderness bloom like the rose.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 6:44 am
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